Invasive Weeds Threaten Lake Tahoe

Segment 31 "Invasive Weeds" (Air Date: September 2)
Anchor Intro: There's a new weed that's starting to take hold in the Lake Tahoe
area- and it has local forest managers very concerned. In tonight's Lake Tahoe Report,
Shelly Purdy takes a close look at the spotted knapweed.
((Take Pkg))
((Track 1)) The spotted knapweed is not native to the Tahoe Basin - in fact it's not native
anywhere in the United States. But it's here. And, once it becomes established it can be
very difficult to get rid of. And that can be an especially troublesome problem here in the
Tahoe Basin.
((standup @ 20:11 Shelly Purdy)) "These big swaths of purple flowers may look
beautiful but don?t be fooled?when spotted knapweed comes in they take over and
choke out all the other plants.?
((sot @16:59 Sue Donaldson, UNR Cooperative Extension))
"The plant has the ability to emit a chemical into the soil and that chemical will keep
other plants from being able to grow."
((Track 2)) Which is cause for concern because of the way the spotted knapweed grows.
It has long roots that grow deep into the soil but don?t hold the dirt. And that leads to
erosion.
((sot @ 14:10))
"We have research data that shows erosion more than doubles when a site is invaded by
spotted knapweed."
((Track 3)) And increased erosion contributes to algae growth?which is clouding the
clarity of Lake Tahoe. So what can you do to help?? If you identify spotted knapweed in
your yard - pull it out. Put it in a plastic bag and throw it away. Or call an expert to get
some advice about what to do. The knapweed it easy to identify. It has a small
flower, about the size of a thumbnail. And underneath the flower there are several tiny
bracts with black tips on them. And even though the plants may look pretty - they don't
belong here. With the Lake Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition, I'm Shelly Purdy
for kolo News Channel 8.
((Anchor Tag)) If you think you have spotted knapweed growing in your yard, contact
your county agriculture department, or visit our website at kolotv.com for information
about how to reach an expert in your area that can help you get rid of the plant.

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Segment 31 "Invasive Weeds" (Air Date: September 2)
Anchor Intro: There's a new weed that's starting to take hold in the Lake Tahoe
area- and it has local forest managers very concerned. In tonight's Lake Tahoe Report,
Shelly Purdy takes a close look at the spotted knapweed.
((Take Pkg))
((Track 1)) The spotted knapweed is not native to the Tahoe Basin - in fact it's not native
anywhere in the United States. But it's here. And, once it becomes established it can be
very difficult to get rid of. And that can be an especially troublesome problem here in the
Tahoe Basin.
((standup @ 20:11 Shelly Purdy)) "These big swaths of purple flowers may look
beautiful but don?t be fooled?when spotted knapweed comes in they take over and
choke out all the other plants.?
((sot @16:59 Sue Donaldson, UNR Cooperative Extension))
"The plant has the ability to emit a chemical into the soil and that chemical will keep
other plants from being able to grow."
((Track 2)) Which is cause for concern because of the way the spotted knapweed grows.
It has long roots that grow deep into the soil but don?t hold the dirt. And that leads to
erosion.
((sot @ 14:10))
"We have research data that shows erosion more than doubles when a site is invaded by
spotted knapweed."
((Track 3)) And increased erosion contributes to algae growth?which is clouding the
clarity of Lake Tahoe. So what can you do to help?? If you identify spotted knapweed in
your yard - pull it out. Put it in a plastic bag and throw it away. Or call an expert to get
some advice about what to do. The knapweed it easy to identify. It has a small
flower, about the size of a thumbnail. And underneath the flower there are several tiny
bracts with black tips on them. And even though the plants may look pretty - they don't
belong here. With the Lake Tahoe Environmental Education Coalition, I'm Shelly Purdy
for kolo News Channel 8.
((Anchor Tag)) If you think you have spotted knapweed growing in your yard, contact
your county agriculture department, or visit our website at kolotv.com for information
about how to reach an expert in your area that can help you get rid of the plant.